Cliff Jumping at Waimea Bay
Looking for a bit of adventure? Why not try cliff jumping at Waimea Bay on the North Shore? In the summer, Waimea Bay offers the perfect location for beginner jumpers and seasoned veterans to experience a rush of adrenaline. The ocean rock (also known as “Da Big Rock” amongst locals) many jump off of is approximately 30 ft. (10 m) high. That, along with the crystal blue, calm waters and fine sand make this location a favorite amongst many locals and visitors. Start climbing the rocks near the shore. The rocks can be slippery and jagged in some locations, so be careful and take your time when climbing. Also, unless…
The Ultimate Hawaii Packing Guide
Packing can be one of the most stressful parts of planning a trip. Therefore, I have made a comprehensive guide to everything you should consider bringing along with you to your vacation to Hawaii. Take a look at the Hawaii Packing Guide below. This Hawaii Packing guide is separated in to 3 categories: Accessories/ Equipment Clothing Footwear The Hawaii packing guide details every item on the list and also explains why you should consider bringing it along. Note: You don’t have to bring everything on the Hawaii packing guide. It is just suggestions on what you should bring. What you will need to bring will also depend on the types…
Brunch at ARVO Cafe
Located in SALT at our Kaka’ako, ARVO Cafe is one of the most talked about coffee shops on Oahu! They are known for their tasty food and their instagram-able decor. Not only do they sell coffee, teas, juices, and toast, but they also sell plants and succulents to spice up your own home decor. There is also a DIY plant station inside the shop where you are able to customize the item you want to take home. You can pick out the plant, the vessel, and the fillings! You will charged separately for each item used. Menu Items ARVO Cafe offers a wide variety of lattes, teas, and coffee. The…
Homemade Spicy Ahi Poke
In Hawaiian, poke (pronounced poh-KAY) means to slice. It is a traditional Hawaiian dish with diced raw fish. Common forms include tako (octopus) poke, ahi tuna poke, and salmon poke. They come in a variety of flavors Just the ahi alone includes flavors such as shoyu ahi, spicy ahi, Hawaiian style ahi, etc. Poke bowls, diced raw fish over rice, have become increasingly popular over the last decade. However, depending on where you live, you may not be able to find poke near you. Using this recipe, you will be able to make your own spicy ahi at home! Ingredients You Will Need For the Poke 1/2 pound sashimi/sushi grade…
Byodo-In Temple Oahu
Hidden away at the foot of the Ko’olau Mountain Range in the Valley of the Temples Memorial Park lies the Byodo-In Temple. It was built on June 7, 1968 to honor the 100 year anniversary of first Japanese migrants to Hawaii. It is a smaller scale replica of the a United Nations World Heritage Site in Uji, Japan. The temple is a non-practicing Buddhist temple. People of all religions and backgrounds are welcome to relax, meditate, and enjoy the beauty of the landmark. On the temple grounds, you are likely to find many wild peacocks, ducks, and koi around. There are also ponds and lush vegetation. You can even see…
Lanikai Pillbox Hike
One of the most popular and picturesque hiking trails on Oahu is the Lanikai Pillbox hike. Located just a few blocks away from Lanikai Beach, this 1.8 mile, intermediate trail leads you above the Lanikai shoreline and offers panoramic views of the windward coast. You will also be able to see the Mokes just off shore. Note that this trail is an “intermediate” trail due to steep inclines and rocky terrain. However, pathways are not too narrow or too close to a steep drop off. Therefore, although this trail is “intermediate,” it is a family and pet friendly hike. Be sure to wear good shoes though. Be sure to check…
Lanikai Beach
Located on the Windward side of Oahu, Lanikai Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches on the island. The crystal blue water and the extremely fine sand make it the perfect beach to catch some sun and relax. It is also the perfect location to catch the sunrise. Although the beach is only a half-mile long, many visitors and locals gather here to enjoy the scenery and atmosphere. The two islands offshore are called the Na Mokulua (or “Mokes” for short). Moku Iki is the smaller island to the south and Moku Nui is the larger island. However, both islands are apart of the state seabird sanctuary. On a…
Oahu’s Must-Try Malasadas
If you ask any local what they recommend eating on Oahu, one of the items on their list will be malasadas. They have a unique airy, yet crispy, texture. This texture and their sweetness makes them one of the most popular deserts in Hawaii. As such, it is a must-try food on Oahu. Malasadas are a dessert of Portuguese origin. Essentially, they are yeast donuts without the hole. They are also coated in sugar. They are airier and also have a slightly eggier taste than their donut counterparts. The plain, sugar-coated malasada is the original flavor. However, many bakeries offer unique flavor variations like custard filled, poi, and haupia malasadas.…
Street Art in Hale’iwa, North Shore
Hale’iwa is a popular destination for visitors and locals to experience different beaches, food, and sights on Oahu. Many know the North Shore as the place to go to for big waves in the winter, good shrimp trucks, and cute, small-town vibes. However, few people know about the street art present in the town when, of fact, the street art in Hale’iwa is among the most unique and exciting works on Oahu! Colette Miller’s Global Angel Wings Project The Global Angel Wings Project was started in 2012 in Los Angeles, California to remind humanity that we are all “angels of this Earth”. Since then, numerous angel wings have popped up…
The Best Homemade Spam Musubi
Spam musubis are a Hawaii staple! Many people love to take them for lunch at the beach or as a snack for a long hike. You can find them at almost every convenience store or grocery store hot food section on the island. However, they are much harder to come by outside of Hawaii. Here’s a recipe on how to make the best spam musubi at home! Note: This recipe does require you to use a musubi mold. Make sure the mold is non-stick. I use this one on Amazon. Spam Musubi Ingredients Spam musubi mold 1 can of spam 1/2 cup shoyu 1/2 cup sugar Nori (seaweed) 2 cups…
